David Carter's survival instincts kicked in as he gutted the roe deer with practiced efficiency. The metallic scent of blood filled the air, making Kate Morris turn away in disgust.
"Hold this steady," David instructed Emma Stone, who licked her lips at the thought of food.
"God, that's barbaric," Kate muttered, though her stomach betrayed her with a loud growl.
Emma's eyes gleamed. "David, imagine this with rosemary and chili flakes... like a proper venison roast."
"Close enough," David smirked, catching Kate unconsciously mimicking a chewing motion before she huffed in irritation.
As David pulled out the entrails, the coppery stench thickened.
"Why did it freeze when it saw you?" Kate asked.
"My sheer masculine aura, obviously."
"Bullshit. Try that on a lion and see what happens."
"Go ahead, summon one then—"
Emma's grip suddenly tightened. "Ohmygod lion!"
David didn't look up. "Very funny."
"David!" Her whisper was pure terror.
Every hair on his body stood on end. Ten meters away, a male lion crouched in the golden grass, amber eyes locked onto their bloody prize.
Kate and Emma shoved him forward like a human shield. "Kill it!"
"Are you insane?" His voice cracked.
The lion rose, muscles rippling beneath its tawny coat. It advanced with terrifying leisure.
"Emma Stone's last words:" Emma babbled hysterically, "Tell my agent I—"
"Shut up!" David spotted salvation—a torch embedded in the ground. He lunged, rolling through dirt to grab it. The flame wavered as he brandished it. "Back off!"
The lion paused, sniffing. Its gaze flicked between him and the deer. A low growl rumbled—not a challenge, but a warning.
"It wants the kill," David realized. "Circle behind me."
They retreated like a six-legged crab. At fifteen meters, the lion claimed its prize and sauntered off, the deer dangling like a chew toy.
Collapsing onto the grass, Emma punched his arm. "You lied! You said you'd fight it!"
"You pushed me toward it!" In an adrenaline-fueled fury, David flipped her onto her back and crushed his mouth against hers.
She bit his lip hard enough to draw blood. Kate watched, fascinated.
"Asshole!" Emma wiped her mouth.
"Pot, meet kettle," Kate remarked.
——————
The mountain loomed steeper than expected. By sunset, they'd reached the summit.
"Hello!" David's shout echoed across valleys.
A faint reply came—female.
Emma clutched his arm. "Someone's out there!"
They called until their voices gave out. Kate produced the radio from her pack. Dead.
"Should've conserved batteries," she accused.
"Then it'd be dead now anyway."
Defeated, they began descending. Twilight in the jungle was absolute; their torchlight barely pierced three feet ahead.
Kate shivered. "What if the lion—"
"It'll eat me first," David lied.
They each took an arm. Fear made them honest.
"We're counting on you," Kate whispered.
"So... does that make you my women?" he teased weakly.
Emma kissed his cheek. When he turned, she met his lips properly. Kate's peck was featherlight.
For one hysterical second, David felt invincible.
——————
Dawn revealed them glaring—they'd stayed awake guarding his sleep.
"Our turn to set terms," Emma declared, all traces of vulnerability gone.
By midday, they'd found their markings. Back at camp, Daisy was missing.
Then they saw them—two figures thrashing in the surf.
Daisy and Jack.
David sprinted with his hatchet, only to freeze at the scene: Their hands were buried in the gills of a massive tuna, wrestling it ashore together.
Daisy shouted through gritted teeth: "Stab it!"
His blade found its heart. As Jack hauled the catch onto sand, one question burned—
Since when did they become allies?
And more importantly—where was the gun?